post-op question

[GingerSue]

when there is wound dehiscence, what is the appropriate intervention:

- lie still and don't cough

- apply a sterile towel and keep it dry

My current textbook says that for wound evisceration to place sterile saline soaked towels over extruding tissue, keep the client NPO, observe for signs and symptoms of shock, and call the surgeon immediately.

thanks

[jmgrn65, RN]

when there is wound dehiscence, what is the appropriate intervention:

- lie still and don't cough

- apply a sterile towel and keep it dry

My current textbook says that for wound evisceration to place sterile saline soaked towels over extruding tissue, keep the client NPO, observe for signs and symptoms of shock, and call the surgeon immediately.

thanks

it seems like you answered your own questions.

there is a difference between dehiscence and evisceration.

dehiscence is the wound opening up.

eviseration is wound open and exposing usually bowel.

Both you will call the surgeon.

[GingerSue]

actually, this was a test question, multiple choice

sterile towel and keep it dry {is not the same as saline-soaked sterile towel}

other options included "lie still and don't cough"

therefore, I am wondering - what is the appropriate first thing to do?

[ZooMommyRN, ADN, RN]

lie still and don't cough to prevent evisceration in which case you would use the sterile cloth soaked in saline

[Fun2, BSN, RN]

You sure don't want the person moving/coughing to do more damage! Then, if anything would dry out, organs, etc., you would cover it up with a sterile, saline wettened gauze.

After the pt is ok, or at least their insides aren't going to crack like dry leather...haha....you would call the Dr for further orders. :)